How to start an old John Deere A

[@ejbgunny1]

My grandpa had a '49 Model A and a '50 Model B. The Model A was the first motorized vehicle I ever operated. Thanks to my grandpa's patience, confidence and faith in my abilities. I was 13 then. I'm now 56. Such great memories. Thanks for the video!

[@TractorHoarders]

I learned with my grandpa too, with much patience as you said. Great memories. Thanks for sharing!

[@ltarn72]

Thanks, my dad has had an A my whole life and he goes so fast telling me how to start and drive it, I needed this video!!

[@TractorHoarders]

That’s great, thank you! I am happy to hear that. 😁

[@rickygrosvenor8055]

I have a John Deere 70 . I need a fuel tank do you have any place that I can get a replacement tank ??

[@AR-pm9nv]

Such a great sound. Takes me right back to being a kid. I was running a hay rake when I was about 13 with our model A.

[@TractorHoarders]

Good memories I’m sure! Thanks for sharing!

[@gregorynaber2901]

Thank you so much I grew up around John Deer’s since I was very small my Dad left me a 1950 Jonn Deer A , thanks for the information, it will help me get it running again

[@TractorHoarders]

I'm glad this was helpful and best of luck with yours. I've got additional videos that might be of help too.

[@Junkinsally]

Seeing an old Deere in a residential neighborhood is wild!

[@TractorHoarders]

I’m sure most of my neighbors have never seen such a thing either! 😆

[@krazi77]

unless you're in the midwest

[@petermcgarry2674]

Haha! I live in Minnesota, have a 41 B in the shed in my backyard in town!

[@mksonmor]

I use the back tank as a get home tank now. I've been using and fixing these tractors since I was 10 years old. Great video.

[@TractorHoarders]

I’d like to get mine in shape for that too. It’s a nice little reserve! Thanks for watching. I’ll get some more videos with this tractor. It has proven to be a really nice tractor so far.

[@paulbrooks2024]

We farmed with a farmall and we did that same thing, the 300 had only one tank so my dad keep an extra gallon on the tractor for get out of the field.

[@robertheinkel6225]

Reserve tank, much like a motorcycle.

[@FreePatriot13]

Great video. Good source of instruction. Now if you can get hold of an old John Deere and start it using the flywheel and the manual adjust chokes. But no need to hurry. There are videos online that already show that. I saw one guy starting his G while his daughter, I suppose, videoed him doing so. That way they'd know how to start it after he was gone. Yours is a good one.

[@Culloden-1745]

Of all the two-cylinder John Deere tractors, there is nothing like the sound of a Model A.

[@rmactvc]

Just bought a model A. Since I know very little about tractors, this was very helpful.

[@TractorHoarders]

Hi Randy! Glad to hear this was of help. I have some other videos that you may find of interest too. Let me know if you need any help with yours and I can try and assist as best as I can. I also have a Facebook group "Tractor Hoarders". Folks can post questions and ask for help there too.

[@donlochner4858]

Thanks for the walk through and safey reminder. I learned a thing or two about old model A's from this video.

[@TheNYOkie]

Great memories! My granddaddy had two of these. When I was a little runt I used to stand next to the seat while he plowed. When I finally was allowed to drive he taught me on this. Good times. Thanks!

[@TractorHoarders]

I had a very similar experience with my grandpa, but with a B that I now own, and can relate. Good memories for sure! Thanks for sharing!

[@Oscar-fq1rb]

Beautiful tractor, with the side auxiliary pulley running. Excellent video.

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you! I have other similar videos of other models in this series that you may enjoy.

[@absentbrainded]

Thank you for this demo. My father, who passed away in 2005, used a Model A farming in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. I was born in 69 so I grew up on it. Although he added other JD's to his collection which took over heavier jobs (730 diesel, 70 diesel, etc), the Model A continued to faithfully perform lighter jobs like raking and pulling wagons for feeding, and reminds me of growing up around farming more than any other tractor. Your A is pretty close to the one we had, but I'm guessing we had a slightly later model because I don't recall two tanks or the fuel selector switch. Otherwise it is very close. I spent MANY hours in fields on that tractor between the ages of around 8 to 18. I can still clearly recall the power steering (meaning all the power I had to steer it as my cousin would say). Hearing that electric starter grind over and fire off that engine brings back very warm memories for me. Thank you again.

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks for sharing your experience! I am glad that these videos can trigger fond memories of life on the farm. I enjoy it for the same reason.

[@dutchman063]

I remember bein a kid in the 70's my dad had one of those model A's

[@TractorHoarders]

Did you get to run it? I like working these old tractors.

[@dutchman063]

@@TractorHoarders I never did get to drive it, wasnt old enough i guess, and he got rid of it in the late 70's when he shut down the farm

[@hoacha1]

Good video. Likely the best starting video available. Most people have horrible camera angles, and skip steps.

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you for the very kind compliment! I tried to make it as complete as possible so that someone who's never done it before could possibly stand a chance. I have some more antique tractors that I plan to make similar videos for.

[@paulbrooks2024]

Good instructions, newbies should not go wrong.

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks Paul! I was thinking this may be helpful for future generations trying to figure out these tractors. Everyone is so used to turning a key and going, at some point, people might consider these a real mystery.

[@johnpfeufer9452]

Great video. I will say that the original fuel valve at the fuel bowl is not opened by turning clockwise or counterclockwise. It is on when the handle is vertical and off when horizontal, a John Deere thing. Also, it is a good practice to open the petcocks before starting.

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks John! You’re very correct! I learned about the fuel bowl valve a few weeks ago by accident.

[@johnpfeufer9452]

@@TractorHoarders me too, was trying to plow with my B and the engine kept dying. A wiser man told me of my problems! 😁

[@TractorHoarders]

@@johnpfeufer9452 haha, same for me! I was putting around and not plowing, but I definitely had an “ah ha!” moment 😁

[@garygriffiths6998]

I don't think the models with factory electric starters had petcocks. They were used to make the flywheel spinnable by hand, and were not necessary when using an electric starter.

[@jamieross8664]

Thanks for your time ,We Imherited my farther-in laws 1946 John A and this helped out, cause o know very little about it.

[@TractorHoarders]

Glad this helped! I’ve got more videos of this A as well as my B and G which are all very similar; you may find them helpful too. If you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments.

[@jamieross8664]

@TractorHoarders could really use some help, I have I think a 1947 John Deere A with a red wire coming from magneto where does that wire connect?

[@TractorHoarders]

@@jamieross8664 sounds like a kill wire. Start the tractor (if it runs), touch the wire to ground/chassis, and it’ll probably kill the spark and turn off the engine.

[@jamieross8664]

@TractorHoarders I can get it to start , it has good spark but back fires and won't start

[@TractorHoarders]

@@jamieross8664 I imagine if you ground that red wire, you won’t have spark. It’s possible your timing may be 180° off if it’s backfiring and won’t start. Thats probably only if you’ve had the magneto off though.

[@jaredhuber8784]

Your video editing is on point. Very impressed. Great job!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you for the feedback!

[@rickshafer4241]

Very interesting. I had not seen a "late styled" A that was an All Fuel. Most of the John Deeres made after World War II were regular gas (1 fuel tank) instead of All Fuel. We had a 1936 A, 1941 B, two 1942 B's, and a 1945 B All Fuels. Also, 1939 H, 1952 A, 1955 60, 1959 630 that were regular gas. Also 1960 diesel electric start 730. Thanks for sharing.

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks Rick. Sounds like you had a nice variety of two cylinders! I found it interesting that this one is an All-Fuel as well. I have the need to replace the manifold at some point in the future and am considering switching to a regular gas manifold knowing that it will never burn anything other than gas. Running kerosene or diesel in place of distillate would only be a novelty to me, and the regular gas manifold (with high compression pistons) are supposed to make more power. I appreciate your comment. I've got a couple other videos of this tractor on my channel, with more to come.

[@shawnaburns5158]

I personally love your video!!! Very explanatory on safety love it

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you! I was raised around old tractors and with the awareness that they can kill you if you’re not careful. I have several other John Deere models and others that I plan to make similar videos about.

[@raycurbee6106]

Nice Video, I just started helping out a old farmer 89 who quit farming a bit ago, and he wanted a few old tractors started,to sell, one was this type, but no key( any tricks with no key) , a hole for it , and it has a generator , I used to work on cars/trucks back in the day alot, but no clue on these , thanks, oh this one the gears for the steering above the radiator are goofed up and taken apart, so that will be my next venture

[@krazi77]

first tractor I ever drove was a '50 John Deere A. try starting that by hand some time. with the petcocks closed.

[@TractorHoarders]

Mine actually is a 1950, maybe yours was earlier? I’ve got other old tractors on this channel too. I have a friend that has an older model AR, and it was likely as your describe. I know starting it with the petcocks closed would be some work!! Although I haven’t started this one by hand yet, I’ll give it a try and post another video.

[@krazi77]

@@TractorHoarders it was a '50. maybe and early '50. it had electric start, but the starter gave up at a tractor show. make sure you have gloves on when trying to crank it by hand, that ring gear can be sharp

[@carlmize3921]

Enjoyed the video. Grew up farming with these tractors in the 50s and 60s. You made no mention of it, but I could see you had it taken care of was the brakes latched. It's a safe option to have the brakes latched, even on level ground. Clutch engaged or disengaged really only a major issue in cold, frigid temperatures, causing lot of extra drag because transmission oil tends to be much thicker at low temperatures. Thanks. Love that sound.

[@TractorHoarders]

Carl, great points! Thanks for sharing. I am really pleased with this tractor. I look forward to spending some more time getting to know it. I have a few plows I’ll hook up and work it a little next year. I’ll get some video of that. I love the sound of the two cylinders too.

[@rickytart1028]

Much enjoyed. I grew up on a 1948 Model A..

[@TractorHoarders]

Glad you liked it!

[@stevefarms7494]

I have a JD B and I have to crank a fly wheel to start it and in winter I have to open the pressure valve to make it easier to start great tractor

[@TractorHoarders]

The only unstyled JD that I've started was a friend's Model AR. I definitely had to open the petcocks that you mention. I like the simplicity of those. I do also like electric start though lol. Thanks for watching! I aim to get some more videos of my B soon.

[@nascarsimracing1]

This is AWESOME!!! This may sound very weird considering I'm only 18..... But My dream is to own a John Deere Model A. And I've found many being sold for only 3,500!!! Some even in FULLY RESTORED CONDITION!!! I always thought an old tractor like one of these would be like 10's of thousands of dollars. But 3,500??? That's a deal!!! And best part? My mom is completely supporting me getting one!!!! I asked her if she would be ok with me buying a Model A, and she said YES!!!!!!!!!! So I'm going to start saving up for a Model A once I get a job. We're going to park it in our front yard under some trees, so when it's not being used, it'll be yard art!!! And my whole neighborhood knows me well, as I ride my ATV and minibikes around the neighborhood a lot, and I also help my neighbors with their engine problems, like fixing their mowers and weedwackers, and everyone's very laid back, so no need to worry about people complaining. My entire side of the street I live on has a HUGE FIELD that connects all our backyards. One of my neighbors usually mows it all with his John Deere zero turn mower. And I sometimes help him alongside, using my 2007 John Deere LA150. But I've seen old tractors of this size that have tow behind mowers, and I want to get one of those tow behind mower attachments, and then I'll be able to very quickly mow all my neighbors' backyard field grass for them. I also love old tractors because they're like a work of art. And I love their huge engines, and how they work, and how they sound. What things should I look for when I go to buy a Model A, and what should I know to be able to find attachments that fit this tractor, like tow-behind attachments, or front attachments like maybe a snowplow? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

[@TractorHoarders]

Wow! Sounds like we have some stuff in common lol. Take a look through my videos, I've got several tractors. One of my firsts was my John Deere model B, which I repainted when I was 16 years old. It doesn't look so nice now, but I'll get it cleaned up and looking nice again one of these days. Keep looking for your dream tractor. You'd be surprised what deals you can get. I'd recommend finding one that is complete (without no, or few missing parts), runs, and has good tires. The model A in this video, I got for $1650, and it's in really great shape overall. You can most definitely find a very nice A for $3500. For that price, I'd expect one that's been close to being restored. The thing about old tractors is that the market value is down because not many young people are interested in them. If you keep an eye on my channel, you'll see many more tractors. I'm always finding a deal somewhere. I personally like to buy them really cheap, and sometimes not running, especially if I suspect they'll be an easy fix.

[@nascarsimracing1]

@@TractorHoarders that's awesome!! Thanks for the reply!!!! I'll certainly check out your other videos!!! And one of my favorite things about the model A is the manual start, where you turn the giant flywheel on the left of the tractor to start it!! I also plan on running it off of diesel. I feel like it'll get more power off diesel than gas, considering it's a very low rpm engine, and diesel has a slower combustion, therefore it has more time that it pushes the piston during the power stroke. And since the main fuel for it is diesel anyways. Also, i've heard diesel is cheaper than gasoline. When i get my model A, it'll be a real example of my favorite quote. "Boys don't grow up, our toys just get BIGGER!" When i was younger, i played with toy tractors and machinery in my sandbox. Now, i have a John deere 210 mower custom fit with a snowplow, and a john deere la 150 mower i use for cutting grass and towing a small trailer for our firewood and other random items we move from one side of our yard to the other. Then, i'll someday have the Model A. I'll have gone from playing with a tiny little hotwheels size toy tractor, to a real fullsize tractor from the 1950's!!!

[@TractorHoarders]

@@nascarsimracing1 Plan on running it on gas all the time. While it might run on diesel if the engine were very hot, it won’t run well on it cold. Unless you’re doing a lot of plowing with it, it’s unlikely that you’ll ever get it hot enough to run on diesel. At this point in time, there’s no advantage to running one on diesel. When they were new, they’d use distallate, which has similarities with diesel, but people did that for the considerable fuel cost savings. There’s no advantage now. It’ll run best on gas.

[@nascarsimracing1]

@@TractorHoarders Ok, thank you for informing me!!! I'll definitely use gas!! I plan on using ethanol free with it too, like i do with all my other engines. it makes a noticeable improvement in performance, and also is better for the engine's health!!! I live near a station with ethanol free, and funny thing is, it's way cheaper than the highest premium fuel at my closest gas station (and that premium fuel at my closest station still has ethanol!!!)

[@shaneoconnor112]

@@TractorHoarders 9

[@edpickering8075]

Thank you...I have an A and your vidio will greatly help me.....thanks

[@TractorHoarders]

Hi Ed, glad to help. I have some other videos that may be of interest to you too, and I’ll make more in the future! Thanks!

[@robertheinkel6225]

This brings back some fond memories of my uncles A s. But I still preferred my dads Oliver’s.

[@TractorHoarders]

Hi Robert - glad to have you with the channel, and I appreciate your comments. Which models of Olivers did you guys have? I like those too, but don't currently own any. I've got a friend with a 60, and another friend with a 77. I'd like to add Oliver into my mix at some point in the future too.

[@rickshafer4241]

A couple comments - these tractors would not run on diesel. They were started on regular gas, and then you could switch them over to either kerosene or distillate (not diesel). As I understand it, the difference between kerosene and distillate is that kerosene was made from coal, and distillate was the same product but made from petroleum. What I have been told is that you might describe kerosene and distillate to be fuels that are about "halfway between regular gas and diesel" (in regards to octane and cetane). I was always told that diesel would be too heavy of a fuel for a tractor like this to run on. An engine has to have a compression ratio of about 16 to 1 to run on diesel, and a tractor like this would only have a compression ratio of about 8 to 1. The other thing, I have always thought these 2 cylinder John Deeres turned over a little easier with the clutch engaged (and out of gear), not disengaged. Sorry for being critical. Otherwise, I thought your video was very well done, and accurate, and I enjoyed it very much. Thanks!

[@TractorHoarders]

Rick, thanks for the critique. It’s all very good information. What you describe is always what I read in the original operators manuals for these tractors. I never really knew what distillate was, so that’s interesting. I have seen other video on KZbin where people have taken a hot engine and switched it over to diesel. I can’t imagine really running it like that though. It smoked a ton. I have no idea what the engine internals were like though. I think there are pros and cons to starting with the clutch engaged. I think if you start it by hand, it’s more difficult for me at least. With electric start, it doesn’t have any issue turning it and I think the spinning transmission adds inertia (similar to the flywheel) that wants to keep it in motion. I can see both ways.

[@josephantiskay3663]

Your exactly right sir,,,my father's A 1952 had petcock for each cylinder to relieve pressure for quicker cold weather starting.

[@adiamondforever7890]

Think of distillate as naphtha, white gas, neither gasoline or kerosene, but something in-between, todays Colman fuel. My mom, when in highschool would run her uncle's dual fuel all day, but he had to start it first thing in the morning as it was hand start, believe it to be an A. My 720D was a little different with a starting motor, but the local JD store said never leave the clutch in your "off" position as it over centers and will reapply the clutch some, depending on how it is adjusted, burning it up. It was not meant to be used that way. My 730D was no different in that regard. Have fun

[@arthurdewith7608]

Stove oil during the depression most of u we’re not born yet but I remember watching my grand pappy taking fuel out of the stove tank in th e shed adding dome moon shine and pouring it into the tractor tank of a 1930 John deer once it run just stove oil Smokey sim of a gun

[@dannynye1731]

Kerosene is a Texaco name for Paraffin, which is oil based. The minimum octane for my B is 35. It was designed to run on heating oil, according to the manual. Heating oil is undyed Diesel

[@officialweldingfarmingarch2041]

Those tractors are an odd design, but they're a good design! Excellent video!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks buddy! Their design has definitely withstood the test of time. I think all tractors from this era were incredibly well built and no wonder so many are still running and operating today. Even if they do have a carb! :) You may like this video too, showing my A, B, & G together: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHumdImhpZypgqs

[@loganpollock1689]

Most of the old A's that I have seen have a regular push/pull switch instead of a key. My father's '48 Model A didn't have the All Fuel tank but the manual included it. My younger brother has the farm and still has the John Deere.

[@TractorHoarders]

Hey Logan! Thanks for sharing. This is the only A that I've ever owned and operated. I'll have to do some more research on the switch. That's good to know. That's cool that your brother still has it all. I have a recent video on the startup process for a John Deere G that you may find interesting too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIWkn51tqdB9p6c

[@chrisnzella]

Yes, it helped. Cool video. Thanks for sharing.

[@timnewman1172]

I have a 1951 A, pretty much nailed it! BTW, some 1950 gasoline A tractors also had both tanks before they got the larger 18gal gas tank...

[@TractorHoarders]

Tim, I did not know that. Good to know!! Thanks! On these late A's, were there different manifolds for All-Fuel vs Gas only?

[@timnewman1172]

@@TractorHoarders Yes, and pistons as well as carburetor. Not much difference in the carb...

[@LouisGodena]

One thing you said about stopping the engine struck me as questionable. In my late styled A operator's manual it says there is only one way to stop the engine and that is closing the throttle. I don't know if there is anything specifically wrong with turning the gas off at the bowl (this is the method I use on my hand start 1939 A) but I'm just going by the operator's manual on the late styled A. Plus the fact that you would have to dismount the tractor to turn off the fuel. I don't know, just an observation. On the plus side that tractor sounds really good. And I noticed that you engaged the clutch lever when it was idling so that the flywheel and pulley wheel were in tandem. Thanks btw for sharing.

[@georgedavidson9697]

Great Demo and nice tractor. I have a restored 1947 A. with a Magneto. Curious what spark plugs work best for your tractor . I have tried D21 Champion, 386 Autolite . Wasn't happy. Saw a sight were 3116 Autolite was recommended. Tried them and tractor runs best ever.

[@TractorHoarders]

Hi George! I have a 1948 B with a Magneto and I've run everything from Autolite 386, 388, and 3116. Because of the Magneto, I've been told it's best to use a Non-Resistor plug, which is what the 3116 is. A distributor/coil system should use a Resistor plug, which is what the 386 and 388 are. Sounds like you found the best option for your tractor!

[@AirborneRenegade]

Got myself a 1946 A and B I’m restoring. Both are multifuel, however I do not have the full flywheel cover. Comes in handy when the battery is dead. I will point out that having the clutch disengaged to start is hard on the clutch. I’ve nearly burnt my clutch doing that. Never knew the later ones had an ignition key. Al fuel tractors around here commonly ran on tractor fuel. It’s a blend of gasoline and Kerosine or diesel from what I’ve been told.

[@TractorHoarders]

Good tip on the clutch. I have never heard that. I appreciate it. I think the ignition key was introduced around 1950. My G has one too (also a 1950). I'll show it on the channel sometime, hopefully this summer or fall, but I have a JD adapter that you can use on these with the flywheel cover to hand start them using the steering wheel. Kind of cool. It works. Would love to see your A and B if you decide to post videos of them sometime. Saw your deviant art page, you're very talented!

[@markart6421]

Great tractor what you need now is a three bottom plow and fifty acres give it some exercise.

[@TractorHoarders]

Mark Art You’re right about that! I recently picked up 4 plows, one of which is a 3 bottom, and I’m going to let this thing work a little. More videos coming! 😁

[@leehansen4750]

Where is the brake peddle? The clutch is a brake when the handle is pulled all the way back, but there is a foot brake that locks on, on some models as I remember. It's hard to remember as I was 12 years old the first time I drove my uncles popping Johnny, while moving a hay wagon from the field to the barn in 1952.

[@TractorHoarders]

You’re right, there is a brake on the clutch that can be used for light stopping. But, there are also two foot breaks for each rear wheel. They’re down near the platform where you put your feet, off to both sides for each respective foot.

[@clockworkbike]

Perfect for taking the kids to soccer practice.

[@keb107]

If dad caught me standing down in front of the wheel starting our A he would kick my ass. Lol

[@ronrobertson2242]

Thankyou very informative!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it

[@scottrooker3423]

Sounds excellent

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks Scott - I think so too!

[@bryanfain8308]

Mine has compression valves underneath. I remember as a kid those being manipulated during start up. Please advise.

[@TractorHoarders]

You’re right. Sometimes over the years people removed the compression release petcocks and installed pipe plugs in the block. If you have the compression release petcocks, I’d open them during starting (makes it easier on the starter) and close them after it starts. On my electric start tractors I really don’t use them and have never had a starter failure. I think they were primarily put there for spinning the flywheel by hand to start.

[@thetrumpnewsnetwork7503]

I drove a tractor like this to bail hay on my grandfathers dairy farm in upstate NY

[@TractorHoarders]

That’s awesome. I have never bailed hay with one of these, although I would like to someday. Were you a kid when you did that?

[@thetrumpnewsnetwork7503]

@@TractorHoarders yeah I was like 9 or 10 when I first started driving it. It is kinda funny watching people use the steering wheel as I recall having to use the separate brakes to steer it in the field pulling the bailer and wagon behind it. I could only really use the steering wheel on the road. Maybe I wasn't strong enough to turn the steering wheel my memory is kinda foggy about it since this was back in the 60's. I do remember loving bailing but I was always a little afraid of the exposed fly wheel. And of course people were always getting killed on these things because of wood chucks digging holes and the tractor flipping over because of that. We spent time shooting wood chucks too lol. Some of my best childhood memories were from back on the little dairy farm. We made maple syrup too. :)

[@davidgrant2008]

Good deal thanks for doing it.

[@AgrooTarm]

Very nice

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks!

[@TheMattYouCantWalkOn]

I feel confident that if I needed to start that tractor, I could. Also, you are going to need another chip can for the exhaust. May I suggest cheddar and sour cream.

[@TractorHoarders]

Hahaha, good suggestion

[@Strub3]

My dad restored a 1937 John Deere A when I was a young man. I have a lot of fond memories running it in parades, a tractor pull or two, and the annual plow day. The electric on yours sure looks nice! His 37 had petcocks that you had to open when starting it. Did this go away on the late model A with electric start?

[@TractorHoarders]

Mine has petcocks too. They are located under the block, so you have to reach under the frame to open them. Because it's got electric start, I generally don't use them; however, I have an adapter that lets you use the steering wheel to hand crank the flywheel. I'll make a video of doing that. I'll definitely be opening the petcocks for that. :)

[@buckshot927tx]

Good stuff! Thanks man!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks Justin! I appreciate it.

[@richcain64]

Nice piece of ground ya got there.

[@masonboldman8639]

I see you still have the ole generator on there, sadly I think mine on my 46 A is going out

[@TractorHoarders]

Well, you have 3 options: 1) rebuild it 2) replace it with another generator 3) replace it with an alternator

[@slundgr]

Do the lights work on that tractor? I can tell you from express the lights on those old tractors were not that good.

[@TractorHoarders]

Hi Steve! That is a great question, and I’m sure I checked them out, but I honestly don’t remember. I’ll make a video soon to check them out and troubleshoot them if they aren’t working. I’m up to 9 tractors and I forgot some details! 😄

[@slundgr]

@@TractorHoarders Excellent. Just “9” tractors? 😁. What does your wife think of your hobby? My great-grandfather had an old John Deere about like that one. I think it was an A. That was over fifty years ago. He used it on his dairy farm and had a trailer for hauling hay. My other grandfather had a Farmall (M-20 I think) that was the first rubber tired tractor in Texas County, Oklahoma. He bought it in the thirties and paid cash for it. By the time I was old enough to drive a tractor it wasn’t running anymore. I wish it had been. My dad had a late forties Oliver 99. I learned on an International 660 and 560 Farmall. Really liked the 560. Good video. I just saw your channel tonight and subscribed.

[@CharlesWT-TX]

So, what do the neighbors think of you firing up a 70-year-old farm tractor parked in your driveway? Have you been visited by the Home Owners Association yet? :)

[@TractorHoarders]

Charles Taylor I’m fortunate. My neighbors put up with me and are very forgiving lol. I do a lot of snow removal during our long winters. 😊

[@loganstewart1671]

The guy with equipment gets talked about behind his back not to his face for the fact of hard chores made easy with equipment 😂

[@josephantiskay3663]

Love old vintage tractors,,,I grew up and used them frequently...you forgotten to mention opening the pet cocks for cold weather starting..their underneath engine belly about equal spark plug distance. Flip levers (one for each cylinder) before starting (CAREFUL HOT EXHAUST PRESSURE), Use gloves. This eases pressure for starting in colder conditions. Maybe all models have it.

[@kathydrews4060]

Hi. I have an old John Deere 49 B that was left behind by my dad. A friend is trying to help me get it going. Dad winterized it before he passed. How do I get an owners booklet?

[@TractorHoarders]

Hi Kathy, glad you reached out. My initial thought is to check eBay if you want to seek an original manual, but if you are fine with reproduction, go to Jensales.com . That's what I would do! I have a 1948 B that is pretty much just like yours. I can do a similar video on it sometime if that's of interest.

[@TractorHoarders]

You can get a re-print manual from any John Deere dealer too.

[@rudycarlson8245]

I had a 1949 John Deere B too I got it when I was still in school once I found out what the serial number was I gave it to my local John Deere dealership and they help me get an owners manual for it

[@hoacha1]

Did I miss you showing us the start button or foot control?. Last I saw you where sitting on it and it started

[@TractorHoarders]

Yep, you sure did miss it. 4:19 is the spot.

[@obageegee]

Electric start, how quaint. I had to roll over the fly wheel on ours.

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks for watching. My John Deere A and B are both late styled models which came standard with electric start. I can start them by hand using the flywheel, but much rather prefer to hit that electric start. 😊

[@obageegee]

@@TractorHoarders Oh how I would have loved electric start on those cold upstate NY winters!

[@pbgd3]

Ya was looking for if you had a tip on a hand start. Electric starting these is weak sauce.

[@stevemidkiff1482]

They were all fuel earlier than 1950. They used both tanks because they had them left over. But the 1950 was an all gas tractor 🚜

[@TractorHoarders]

Good info, thanks for sharing, Steve!

[@timheasley612]

I can tell you something that diesel oil will take that crap out of there keep your eyes on oil pressure great video I have 5 As 720 diesel just lets say I have 14 tractors 😂😂

[@TractorHoarders]

I bet you are very right! I'm going to keep an eye on it and see what things look like with the next oil change. You have an awesome collection! I'm up to 9. I'll be there with ya someday!! haha. What part of the world are you in? I'm originally from Ohio, but currently in Colorado.

[@vincefrommenton]

So cool 👍🏻

[@TractorHoarders]

Thank you!

[@Mr23frd]

Do you use ethanol free fuel in yours

[@TractorHoarders]

I do not and never have. I know it’s good practice to do. I just shut off the fuel every time I shut down one of these tractors and let the engine run until it drains the fuel bowl in the carburetor.

[@donmunro144]

Memories

[@TractorHoarders]

Did you have one of these tractors, Don?

[@donmunro144]

@@TractorHoarders no. My cousin did. He stepped in and raised me after my father had passed. We rebuilt it from a pile of parts. We used it to haul out firewood, until i left for the army.

[@rudycarlson8245]

Memories indeed! I learned to drive on one exactly like yours! My grandpa‘s tractor was 1950 to 1952 I’m not exactly sure of the year but imagine being A eight-year-old kid and learning the drive one of these tractors? I did! I love driving that tractor every single time! Very easy to drive with that hand clutch! I literally can hear that tracker in my head today! That’s how much of impression that tractor left on me Man do I wish I had it today! Once you get that John Deere two cylinder pop in your head you cannot get it out! I have so many great memories of that model A

[@SteveSmith-cu4jy]

My father had one and I started it by hand

[@TractorHoarders]

You feel very accomplished when you start one of these by hand

[@markmaschmeyer1360]

I learnes the hard way of shutting these down nevee shut it off at the key unless of a emergency always shut it off at the sediment bowl reason is on the tractors your gas will fill the carb and actually go into your oil contaminating your oil

[@mikecalhoun2645]

We always got on the tractor, never started it like this

[@TractorHoarders]

The video shows starting it from on the tractor… seems the same to me?

[@far_out_in_the_country]

I always start mine while seated on the tractor

[@TractorHoarders]

That’s the safest way. I am guilty of the side starts. Just how we did it when I was raised.

[@simplyamazing880]

I grew up on one of these. We started it up on gas and after it warmed up we changed it over to what we called tractor fuel which I guess it was kerosene.

[@TractorHoarders]

I’ve never gone through with that process, but would have like to try it out during those times. Thanks for sharing!

[@danielpearson4972]

In the 50s dad purchased an A Deere but it was old, do not remember the year. I was 9. It had flywheel to start. Had relief valves, one on each cylinder. Had a mag no battery. No no grill and steering shift from wheel forward to steering pedestal in open. 2 tanks. No gear shift pattern. At 9 I started it and used a mower cutting hay. We lived on a dirt road when it rained the clay was a mess and had to pull cars out. Dad had a newer tractor he used. Guess he thought if I could start it that I could operate it. When grown and after Vietnam and an aircraft mechanic dad was clearing out unused equipment he had this tractor and a 40 and 47 Ford pickup was giving them to me but where I lived there wasn't a place for. I kicked myself so many times. Not because of monetary value but sentimental reasons. I learned to drive with 40 pickup and those times in this rural area farm kids were driving and the sheriff knew everyone and he would just wave.

[@chriscannon9689]

HOA shaking and crying rn

[@edpickering8075]

Thank you.....I have a A

[@terryraymond7984]

The sediment bowl get it right!

[@TractorHoarders]

Thanks for watching

[@gokuson6635]

Won't take long to cut the front yard.

[@Flyingbeanman236]

Breh why do JD tractors have to be so complicated, i have a 1949 Farmall and starting it is not this complicated lol

[@donlivesay1338]

Johnny Popper

[@deanknowles1631]

Not Diesel.

[@TractorHoarders]

Distillate back in the day. Maybe kerosene now at best. I've seen people run diesel in these if the engine is hot enough. Not really for practical use, but just for show. Smokes a lot.